A little over a month ago, someone on the Canucks.com forums came to me with a suggestion for my next Top 5 video countdown. So because I should never take for granted that there are interested people out there actually reading this blog...

But as exciting as a howitzer from the point can be, no one seems to be paying any credence to his ability to jump into the rush, which is why I purposefully omitted any cut-and-dry slapshots from these five goals. This set of highlights showcases an underrated and doubtlessly valuable ability of Garrison's that should be fun to watch once his groin and the lockout have both resolved themselves.

Number five and four are both milestone goals and uncanny carbon copies of each other, while the last three coincidentally feature some sort of Canucks-related cameo appearance (no surprise, given that the Panthers and Canucks have a seemingly exclusive trading partnership with each other). In number three, Garrison takes a page out of the Sedins' book, deflecting a pseudo-slap pass into the slot while on a power play.¹ Number two sees him on a two-on-one with David Booth, while his buzzer-beating OT winner against Tampa Bay begins with a defensive play from former Canuck Mike Weaver.

A lot has been said about Brian Campbell playing a significant role in Garrison's breakout year. But whether he's pinching in or hanging back at the blueline, you can bet he'll have just as much space to work with on shifts with, oh let's say...the Sedins? That said, it'll be exciting to see what he'll be capable of as a Canuck.

-HC

¹ Though the goal was announced in the play-by-play as a record-breaker for powerplay goals by a Florida defenceman, if you pay close attention, the penalty had ended by just a second. Rather than 10 powerplay goals, Garrison was left with 9 on the season, tying him with former Panthers Jay Bouwmeester (2008-09) and Gord Murphy (1993-94).

Your right Garrison looks like a perfect addition to the Canucks D-core. Offensive is the key word, especially after the loss of Salo to TB. I'd be hesitant placing him with Edler during 5 on 5, but him and Hamhuis would be great. If that happened the pairings would look like this.
5 on 5 5-4
Hamhuis - Garrison Edler - Garrison
Bieksa - Edler Bieksa - Hamhuis/Ballard
Tanev - Ballard

Your right Garrison looks like a perfect addition to the Canucks D-core. Offensive is the key word, especially after the loss of Salo to TB. I'd be hesitant placing him with Edler during 5 on 5, but him and Hamhuis would be great. If that happened the pairings would look like this. 5 on 5 5-4Hamhuis - Garrison Edler - GarrisonBieksa - Edler Bieksa - Hamhuis/BallardTanev - Ballard

Can't wait to see all the other teams' frustrated goalies after they get beat by his wrist shot! With that second shot and the ability to join the rush he could conceal his booming slap shot even better and I think that he and Alex will be quite the strong tandem on the back end for years to come (given Alex... you know)

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.Jesus LOVES YOU!2012, meet Matthew 24:36-47!

14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Your right Garrison looks like a perfect addition to the Canucks D-core. Offensive is the key word, especially after the loss of Salo to TB. I'd be hesitant placing him with Edler during 5 on 5, but him and Hamhuis would be great. If that happened the pairings would look like this. 5 on 5 5-4Hamhuis - Garrison Edler - GarrisonBieksa - Edler Bieksa - Hamhuis/BallardTanev - Ballard

I'm not sure why you'd think so, unless as LeanBeaf suggests you think he's only a guy with a slapper. The year before last he played with Mike Weaver as the top shutdown pair for the Panthers. Last year they tried him with Campbell on the PP and he broke out offensively.

The only thing we aren't as sure of is having him play the right side during 5 on 5 play. He played the right side on the PP with Campbell, but played the left side with Weaver 5 on 5 and on the PK. Obviously our opening is on the right side of Edler, and moving Bieksa there met with mixed success previously, so Garrison will get the chance to start.

I'd say he looks like a complete defenceman, one who is big, strong, has a good shot, can skate well, and who can play big minutes. The knock against Boom Boom Garrison is the small sample size for his good work. I for one am stoked to see what this local BC boy can do playing for his hometown team.

"You must be the change you want to see in the world" - Mahatma Ghandi

People need to realize that he's more of a stay at home guy who had a breakout offensive season because of his shot.

I disagree. Garrison's more of an offensive defenseman who is responsible defensively. Overall I'd say he's well rounded, he always had the offensive talen but the lsat 3 seasons in Florida he really focused on improving his defensive game.

I'm not sure why you'd think so, unless as LeanBeaf suggests you think he's only a guy with a slapper. The year before last he played with Mike Weaver as the top shutdown pair for the Panthers. Last year they tried him with Campbell on the PP and he broke out offensively.

The only thing we aren't as sure of is having him play the right side during 5 on 5 play. He played the right side on the PP with Campbell, but played the left side with Weaver 5 on 5 and on the PK. Obviously our opening is on the right side of Edler, and moving Bieksa there met with mixed success previously, so Garrison will get the chance to start.

Let Garrison play with Edler to add an even bigger shot on the PP... (it's obvious!)

But I remain convinced, if player trades don't change status quo, the guy to play Garrison with would be Ballard. If not playing on his natural side, he would also not be playing top defensive draws which are reserved for Hammer and Bieksa, which would afford a comfort zone for the Big G!

Let Tanev play with Edler 5 on 5; Tanev the quick & steady position player, who is also a smooth passer. This will compliment Edler, especially playing with the Twins. His passing would make him just as valuable an addition as Garrison's shot playing predominantly offensive situations. Tanev's size would also not be the same liability it is when he plays against premium defensive match ups. It's the role Tanev plays with Kevin Connauton on the farm, but importantly allows all other players to fall into roles for which they are well suited.

Then, 5 on 5, Garrison and Ballard would be our most physically gifted pair and could play all secondary match up's, offensive or defensive. Thats speed, size and strength folks; Garrison is 220 huge and will clear the net, Ballard 210 lbs, a shot blocker who can get out and apply pressure as he is amongst the fastest players in the league. We'll also get to see him finally rush the puck, which is exciting. These guys both have 30 point seasons under their belt and would expose second tier players. It makes us thoroughly dangerous, as well as defensively steady everywhere in the lineup.

Ballard would finally break out with us, and I doubt it would dip Edler's productivity at all.

I'm not sure why you'd think so, unless as LeanBeaf suggests you think he's only a guy with a slapper. The year before last he played with Mike Weaver as the top shutdown pair for the Panthers. Last year they tried him with Campbell on the PP and he broke out offensively.

The only thing we aren't as sure of is having him play the right side during 5 on 5 play. He played the right side on the PP with Campbell, but played the left side with Weaver 5 on 5 and on the PK. Obviously our opening is on the right side of Edler, and moving Bieksa there met with mixed success previously, so Garrison will get the chance to start.

Let Garrison play with Edler to add an even bigger shot on the PP... (it's obvious!)

But I remain convinced, if player trades don't change status quo, the guy to play Garrison with would be Ballard. If not playing on his natural side, he would also not be playing top defensive draws which are reserved for Hammer and Bieksa, which would afford a comfort zone for the Big G!

Let Tanev play with Edler 5 on 5; Tanev the quick & steady position player, who is also a smooth passer. This will compliment Edler, especially playing with the Twins. His passing would make him just as valuable an addition as Garrison's shot playing predominantly offensive situations. Tanev's size would also not be the same liability it is when he plays against premium defensive match ups. It's the role Tanev plays with Kevin Connauton on the farm, but importantly allows all other players to fall into roles for which they are well suited.

Then, 5 on 5, Garrison and Ballard would be our most physically gifted pair and could play all secondary match up's, offensive or defensive. Thats speed, size and strength folks; Garrison is 220 huge and will clear the net, Ballard 210 lbs, a shot blocker who can get out and apply pressure as he is amongst the fastest players in the league. We'll also get to see him finally rush the puck, which is exciting. These guys both have 30 point seasons under their belt and would expose second tier players. It makes us thoroughly dangerous, as well as defensively steady everywhere in the lineup.

Ballard would finally break out with us, and I doubt it would dip Edler's productivity at all.

Edler does have a bomb. But the only problem is he does not shoot enough and when he does, he misses the net more often then not. lol

The way he jumps up on the rush and moves around on the pp and is not stationary says otherwise. He looks more than just a stay at home guy.

It is definitely of interest how much attention Garrison is getting for his shot and the points he might put up. And we do need a big shot with Salo gone. Where Salo was steady defensively, he was far from feared, and added good but nothing special for other skills.

So Garrison's signing, IMO, is still way important to us at the defensive end. The Big G is 220 lbs, and apparently very solidly built at that size. As good as Hammer is, and he's not small at 208 lbs, we still lacked a guy who could clear our net. Then he also adds broader skills as Clutch and CMPunk are pointing out here.

Plus of course I hear he has a big shot!

im sure av will make use of his offensive skillsthat said he will be a great add on to hammer as a defensive guywait

Doesn't this kind of remind us of someone? High Salary, joins the rush, and from Florida... wait I remember now it's the former 25 point player named Keith Ballard. Please AV don't make Jason Garrison into another Keith Ballard.